The ball is a bit tricky at first. Take your time with it, try using lighter strokes and gradually building your way through the gradations. Another hint to help create the roundness is to follow the curve of your outline and try to avoid the straight lines.

Keep at it, you may find it to be the most important exercise of all.

Logged

Cheers, Val

”Creativity is allowing yourselves to make mistakes. Work on knowing which ones to keep!”

You are off to a good start with the pencil course. I carry a sketch pad and a few pencils with me everywhere I go, do that I can practice daily. That's the key to improvement - constant practice. Even doodling counts.

And remember the importance of shading - dark against light to make your work POP.